The shape of your roof will influence the type of loft conversion you can have. We hear a lot about Dormer loft conversions, but what about Hip vs Gable? Lets take a deeper dive.
The shape of your roof will influence the type of loft conversion you can have. We hear a lot about Dormer loft conversions, but what about Hip vs Gable? Lets take a deeper dive.
Hip roofs are sloped on all four sides, with no vertical ends. This is not a common roof design in the UK, but it can sometimes be seen on detached properties. A pyramid hip roof looks a bit like a pyramid, with four slopes and a point at the top. A mansard hip roof has four sides with two slopes on each; this is also not a common design.
A hip roof design can also be found on semi-detached properties. In this case, instead of two sloped roofs and a gable end, there are three slopes leading up to a ridgeline.
Benefits
Hip roofs are more stable because they are self-bracing. This is advantageous where high winds or heavy snow are an issue, such as in coastal regions or Scotland.
Hipped roofs can look attractive, as they are more consistent in appearance.
Drawbacks
A hip roof is a more complex design project, and so more expensive when compared to a gable end roof with two slopes, when it comes to loft conversions. There are also more seams, which increases the risk of water ingress. Also, there is less space in the attic, which gives you fewer options if you subsequently decide to convert the loft into a living space.
A gable roof is triangular with two slopes and a side gable end leading up to a point. It is a very common roof design in detached and semi-detached homes. Look around your local area and you’ll soon see that a great number of homes have this type of roof.
Benefits
The main benefit of a gable roof is that it is the design is simple and less expensive to build, which is important if you are building or renovating a property on a tight budget – and also why house builders love them. Fortunately, gable roofs create more space in the attic, so it is easier to convert into a usable living space.
Drawbacks
Gable roofs can be less durable and may sustain damage in strong winds. It is worth bearing this in mind if you live in an exposed area with high winds, like a coastal location.
This type of loft conversion is where the side slope is raised to the ridgeline, and a new gable end is formed. It maximises head space in a semi-detached home that has a hip roof. The downside of a hip-to-gable loft conversion on a semi-detached roof is that it changes the appearance, so that the property may unbalanced compared to its neighbour. However, that’s not something the average passer-by will notice. that being said, we have known many neighbours to both opt for a loft conversion to balance out the overall appearance.
A hip-to-gable loft conversion also works on a rear extension with a hipped roof, as is sometimes seen in older properties. When we come to do a visit as part of our free quote, we can go over all of your options and make recommendations for what ever your living space.
Get in touch today and we can begin the process for you.
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